PRR Catenary Attempt

[DJReonic]

Hey, everybody,

I'm sure everyone has seen the awesome catenaries from gfisher, particularly the PRR models. I am doing a project that extensively utilizes his PRR 4-track catenaries, but there is one tiny problem: They are only for 4-track lines, so I can't use them for branches, sidings or yards. He has DL&W Catenaries for 3, 2, and 1 track, but they aren't very prototypical for PRR and I'm trying to stay as PRR as possible.

So...I am going to attempt to make 3, 2, and 1-track versions based off his 4-track PRR Catenaries, as well as 5, 6, and some kind of spline to use with the single wire for yards. We'll see how that goes. My head may explode and nothing will get done.

While the default Auran Catenaries would work ok, I can't run Double-stack trains under them, and the spacing is wrong. I've already re-laid and spaced half of my modified version of the UMR route to conform with PRR specs. I don't like the idea of having to go back and re-do everything again.

If anyone has diagrams, measurements or anything else that would help me, I'd greatly appreciate it, or of someone knows of a secret stash of PRR catenaries lying around somewhere or can help me get better acquainted with gmax, I'd greatly appreciate that, too.

 

[RRSignal]

Having built the Reading catenary system, I say good luck! It should be a lot of fun. But, when you say "based off his 4-track catenaries", does that mean you intend to reuse something in gfisher's catenaries? I suggest making everything completely yourself and hosting them on the DLS. Texturing shouldn't be too difficult.

Take a look at http://prr.railfan.net under Electic Traction. Specifically, ET-1 has measurements of 4-track catenaries, wire height above track, etc. From that, you should be able to interpolate with a high degree of accuracy catenaries towers of less than 4 tracks. Document ET-1100 and ET-1101 will diagram the wires. I can easily get you a measurement of a 2-track catenary pole spacing, if you need it. The difference between (most) 4-track catenaries and 3- and 2-track varieties is that the 3- and 2-track usually if not always have a V-shaped support over the cross-spar, whereas the 4's usually don't and are much more variable in design.

PM me if you need any further help.

 

[DJReonic]

Thanks. The texturing will probably use the textures gfisher made for his, because I want them to look as close to the same as possible, so I don't have to go making new 4-track setups.

 

[cascaderailroad]

At USLW/Trackside/Page#9 there is: PRR Singal Catenary

 

[RRSignal]

That causes a lot of problems though - for one thing, you'll have to have his permission (unless he has already granted blanket permission at some point - I don't know) and also, if you can't host them on the DLS, then they are of very limited use to a lot of people. Again, I don't know if gfisher allows DLS distribution or not, so I suggest getting all that worked out before spending a lot of time on this project. I had actually planned to do PRR catenaries at some point and put them on the DLS, since a little of the work can be carried over from the RDG catenaries - if you want them, you're welcome to them, but they're for DLS distribution only, and the meshes were done in Blender.

 

[gfisher]

People should feel free to use my catenaries and their textures any way they like and distribute as they wish. If someone would like a gmax file to work from send me a PM. I have done one two track catenary (out of the many different types) but just haven't got around to uploading it to USLW.

PS What you need to get a hold of is "The Keystone" volume 29, Number 4, Winter 1996, and volume 30, Number 1, Spring 1997, for articles, photos, specs and engineering drawings for PRR Catenary. You can purchase these back issues from the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society.

 

[DJReonic]

"Free, may be used in any way."

--copied from the license section of the Paoli Catenaries in CCP

@Cascade: that is the wire only, and I already use it for Crossovers and transitions between catenary styles. If I had supports for other track configurations, then I could just wire them up that way. I even thought of kitbashing the NH Catenary Support spline (support only, no wires, used for anything other than 4 tracks) or using the PRR Signal Bridge as catenary supports for yards.

 

[RRSignal]

Cool, thanks, George!

 

[DJReonic]

@gfisher

Awesome. Didn't realize you were continuing on the PRR Catenary line.

@RRSignal

If having the RDG Catenaries would help with making PRR ones, then i'll take 'em.

 

[ivantr]

@gfisher Man, i love your work. all of it. Your catenarys, your tracks, your buildings, ALL . And this idea came to me lot of time ago. And now i see a light in the distance . Thanks for all your good content that you share with us. As a Spanish fan of US content, that book could help me a lot so thanks for letting me know where to get it, and to know of his existence

@Renelta which 3d program are you using? The other day i was trying to make a Budd metroliner and some Amfleet I Coachs, but now the booleans on my 3dsmax are working very bad without smooth and with lot of awful faces. So if you want, get a tour on my threads and send me a pm or a message if you want to start a PRR project
Ah yes, i found this the other day searching on some forums

Greetings

 

[RRSignal]

@gfisher

Awesome. Didn't realize you were continuing on the PRR Catenary line.

@RRSignal

If having the RDG Catenaries would help with making PRR ones, then i'll take 'em.

PM me your email address.